A poll conducted in october 2014 by the british polling agency yougov found that more british people believe that the elgin marbles should be returned to greece than believe they should be kept in britain.
British public poll elgin marbles.
The sculptures which lord elgin removed from the parthenon in athens 200 years ago and sold to the british museum are also known as the parthenon marbles for their original home.
Britain breaks with eu u k.
37 think the classical greek sculptures should be returned which is more than.
If there were a referendum on whether or not the elgin marbles should be returned to greece or remain in the british museum the british public say that they would vote to return them to greece by a margin of more than two to one according to a new mori poll carried out for regent productions.
The british museum has vowed to fight off any attempt by the eu to take back the elgin marbles during brexit talks as it said they were acquired completely legally.
When the marbles were shipped to england they were an instant success among many who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival but both the sculptures and elgin also received criticism from detractors.
The poll found that 37 of people wanted the elgin marbles to be returned to greece while only 23 thought the marbles should remain in.
They have been displayed at the british museum in london since 1817 when elgin sold the marbles to the british government.
Lord elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the british museum in 1811 but negotiations failed despite the support of british artists after the government.
New research by yougov appears to support mr clooney s claims about public opinion.
While promoting his new film monuments men about returning art taken by the nazis to its rightful owners george clooney has said that the uk should give back the parthenon marbles to greece.
A yougov poll conducted has revealed that only a quarter of british citizens support the decision to keep the elgin marbles in the british museum.
In response to the initial question if there were a referendum on whether the elgin parthenon marbles should be returned to greece how would you vote two fifths of british adults 40 say they would vote for the marbles to be returned to greece and 16 say they would vote to keep them in britain however when asked how they would vote if a number of conditions see below were satisfied.